Regarding Saying Salam

1. As I am living in Dubai I see lot of people specially Arabic speaking people say Salam to opposite gender people, whether it is Men or Women some go even to the extend they say Salam to the non Muslims too. What is the ruling regarding this?

2. This is somewhat connected to the first one and as the non Muslims are used to this they also say Salam to us and they all know the full answer and if we say “Waelaikum” then they get antagonized and asks us why do you say half reply to us. What should we do regarding this matter?

3. What is the position in saying Salam and praying behind (and sometimes they pray behind us) Salafis and Deobandies?

Jazakallahu Hairan,

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

We may initiate extending Salam to non-Muslims if they are in good terms with us. The Blessed Prophet (S) said: “Greet with Peace those whom you know and those whom you do not know.” Allah (SWT) made Salam to be the greeting of the children of Adam a.s.

There is nothing wrong with a Muslim man to greet a non-mahram Muslim woman with Salam, without shaking hands with her and if there is guarantee that a fitnah (temptation) will not be caused.

If we are greeted by a non-Muslim with the proper wording of Shari’ah greeting (As-Salamu Alaikum), the majority of scholars said that we are to return the greeting.